How Things Are

twenty five

What kind of hitman name is Greg? When Joey introduced me to him I finally understood why everyone had been eying me up and down. He is pretty beefy, I'll give him that, but 'Greg'. Really? Lucas said there was another guy but he wasn't showing up until tomorrow. Until then we're sitting in a pretty sweet hotel in one of Lucas' Casinos.

They're smoking stinky cigars and playing cards. Simon taught me how to play. He said he was teaching me my numbers and magic tricks but later on, I realized he was teaching me how to cheat. When I first started playing, I thought everyone just sucked and didn't know how to win, but then Winwrey saw me play, said I was a cheater, and took her snacks back. She was such a whiner that day. She never played with me again. That didn't stop her from asking me to play against people on the street to win cash.

This is a private room for other big players to gamble away their cash. The dealers shuffle so they can't count correctly. They switch between dealers every two hours. I haven't seen anyone cheat but somehow Lucas' men, mostly, come out on top. It must be the dealers.

As I watch I notice the signs when things change when people win and lose. There are scratches on the nose, someone checks their nails, or someone cleans their sunglasses. Then the cards will change and a miracle will happen. Clearing their throat or adjusting themselves in the chair. It's pretty clever. Since I can't see the cards, I don't know what the signs mean, and because people come and go no one stays long enough to catch on.
I mocked Teedo when he saw me cleaning my invisible glasses and I see a warning look in his eyes. I couldn't help but grin and then continue to observe.

It's close to midnight when people start to leave. The money gained goes to Lucas. Greg takes both card dealers to a bedroom. Disgusting. Some stay and linger, trying to bond or do business with one another. Watching it gets boring but I'm supposed to. All I see are people sucking up to Teedo. Seeing this side of him is odd. They don't just fear him, it's like he's the only one in the room worthy of breathing for. I wonder what they'd do to me if they found out what I did to his mattress?

Teedo must have read my mind by the irritated look he was giving me. "Regretting throwing up on my carpet?"
"Something like that." I side glance at him "I knew you had a reputation but I didn't know it was this big."
He leans on the wall with me "It's exhausting. They just want what my family has."
"I see" who wouldn't

We remained silent just people watching. Whenever someone approached to do business or say hi, he'd always give them a short response hinting to go away. I'd always look somewhere else so I wouldn't laugh. Whenever he caught me, he would tug my ear or pince my side.
I either got glares or curiously stared at. Twice someone asked me to accompany them. When I punched them both and Teedo did nothing the room stopped looking at me altogether. This was going to be a rough week. Or however long this supposed to last.

By the time everyone left it was close to three in the morning. I grabbed something in the cupboard called a poptart and went into my room. It wasn't bad. Crumbly. Cinnamon flavor. I don't understand how it could be poppy but it was a decent dinner. I took off everything except my underwear and sports bra and fell asleep.

An hour later I woke up to the light coming in from my door. I shut that. Looking around the room I reached for my sword. Gone? Someone is in here. Calming my heart, I listen and hear breathing in the corner.
"Come out creep." His breathing got heavier
"You know, that slave woman was mine." He was holding my sword.
Greg "Then treat her better and she won't go missing Gregory. "
"It's Greg!" He held my sword "You made her leave."
"No Gregory. She wanted to leave. Give me back my katana. It's not a toy."
I can't define that look in his eyes. " You owe me a slave."
He leaves my katana against the wall and takes out a knife. I didn't know what to do. This was one of Lucas's' men. Hired to work with Teedo. If I defended myself what would happen? He was getting closer and all I was doing was panicking. He climbed on the bed and Lucas beating came into my head. Killing one of his men. What would be the consequences of that? The closer he got the more I shook. He began touching me. No. His knife was just a game. He wanted me. Greg cut into my sports bra and I felt his fingers between my legs. I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed the knife under my pillow and stabbed him in the balls
He rolled off the bed screaming. A few moments later Teedo and Joey came in confused. The lights turned on then they saw Grey on the floor with a knife in his balls. Joey grabbed him off my floor but didn't say anything. Nobody did. They took him and left. I'm not sure what to make of that but I understand why that girl ran away from him. Pig.
I couldn't sleep the rest of the night. When daylight came I thought I was the first one up but when I walked into the living room Teedo was walking through the front door of the private sweet where we were staying. I raised my eyebrow asking where he's been but he just shook his head.

Not many words went through anyone's mouth this morning. No signs of Greg either. Late riser? Good. I don't wanna see him anytime soon. When we were about to leave he wasn't there. I didn't ask. 'It was time to pick up the other guy.' Is all Teedo said then we all got in the car.